Below is a copy of one of "Laine's Letters". Her writings have so blessed me over the years. If you have a moment to read, you will surely be blessed by her writings. If you enjoy the letter below, you can find more at: http://www.lainesletters.com/

Dear Sisters,
The LORD is so good. I just love Him! And I just love His ways. Oh, to be sure, His ways are not what you will see practiced over and over in this world. No wonder He tells us that if "we cease listening to Instruction, we will stray away from the Words of Knowledge." Oh, but if we are saturating ourselves in that Instruction, the Words of Knowledge begin to be practiced through us. That is an incredible thing. Weakness bound up in strength!

This week I have seen more of His strength in my home. As I have told you before, I am still suffering from years of "household debt." But I can see more and more of this debt being paid off, and it is getting easier and easier to manage my home these days. God is so good! What has it cost me? Oh, discipline. Blessed discipline.

"Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of our spirits, and live?" Hebrews 12:9

I am really such a weak woman. But something extraordinary happens each morning in my kitchen. I get up feeling as I always do. My back is hurting. It is cold and the bed is so warm. It's still very dark outside. I don't think I can do this day. So many people depending on me. I shuffle to the kitchen and bypass the dirty clothes piled in the hallway for me to wash. I turn on the stove. Then I get down on my knees and admit my weakness. How I need Him. I can't even go into His Word if He doesn't guide me. I fall asleep two times in this crumpled position. I wake up as the coffee pot bubbles. I turn it off and head for my chair. His Word. His Word. I need it more than I do my liquid refreshment. At first my eyes are not focused and I have to keep blinking them to force away the sleep. As I slowly sip and read, I begin to see my God anew. It is still and quiet in my kitchen in the predawn hour, and I can "see" my Father afresh and anew. No wonder Jesus also drew away with Him in the predawn hour. It is the perfect time to be alone with Our King:

"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, Jesus went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed." Mark 1:35

If you read the verses above this verse, you will also see that Jesus had had a late night, as the whole city was gathered at the door of the house after dark. He spent a lot of time healing those who were sick and casting out demons. Yes, Jesus is well acquainted with people being dependant on Him. Yet, He still found it necessary to pull away and talk with His Father. Even after a late night ministering to people.

I find it necessary, too. Oh, I remember when it was more of an obligation than a love of mine. But I kept coming back each and every morning. I can't quite tell you when it began to be a love, but now without a doubt it is one of my driving hungers. I have to get alone with Him. And not for a short while. I have to pull away from everyone to listen to His beautiful Words and to tell Him things that I would never tell another soul. He also reveals to me through His Word incredible things that tell me, "Laine, this is no ordinary day." Why? Because we're working together. Because He has transformed my mind once more. Because of what He revealed to me that morning:

"And Jesus said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God." Mark 4:11a

Each morning is a treasured gift sitting at His Feet learning of the Kingdom of God. A Kingdom I belong to. It's not something to be crossed off my "to do" list. Rather it is an outpouring of love and a gathering in of love. I could not do what I do in a day without His Presence. He does the impossible through me. I cannot believe what He has done in my heart and in my home these past years. My work from this point on in my day is just a further outpouring of love in His Presence. I get up and get going now with renewed direction and reaffirmed love. It is an incredible way to begin your day. My back is now feeling better, I am awake, and I find that I have renewed inner strength. It is an incredible miracle that I see happening morning after morning in my kitchen.

So what has changed in my home? Well, I don't "play" first anymore. He has taught me in the wee hours of the morning the value of discipline. Blessed discipline. Now after spending time in His Word in the morning, I see my husband off to work. Then I get to work. I love this time of the day more than I can say! It is still quiet in my home, and I put on some quiet praise music. Then I tidy the living room. It is the first room that I do in case the LORD brings someone by. Next comes the bathroom. Again, in case the LORD brings someone by. After this I start my "servants." I get the washer going. I get the dryer going. I get the crock pot going. I get my two bread machines going. I do not get the phone going, as I used to. This was "playing" first. Now I shut that "servant" off until my work is done and my children's lessons are completed. Discipline. Blessed discipline.

Next I make my bed while calling for my children to get up. I try to have my bed made first, if possible, as I have them make their beds upon rising and I like for them to see my bed all nicely made. Then I set up their chore lists. Each child gets four different chores a day. So they all learn to make the home run smoothly, and I can get lots of chores that might get overlooked (such as cleaning the top of the fridge) done in no time. With ten busy hands, it is amazing what can happen in a home. I feel so "rich" to train them in the many areas that they need to learn. And having a chore list with four different items on it every weekday affords me that privilege.

Once we've completed our chores we begin breakfast and then it's time for lessons. Lessons last until 1:00 or 1:30 p.m. We all get something to eat for lunch during that time, if we're hungry, or we eat after we're finished. I also fold my clothes and put them away while they're doing their spelling or dictation practice. Oftentimes I make my tea treat at this time, too. By early afternoon I am usually ready for a big break! I clear the decks and send them all outside. They are more than happy to go. Oftentimes I will take a short nap at this time, especially if it is a certain time of the month. ~Smile~

The LORD has helped me so much in mornings. I cannot get over the change. I was a woman who spent far too much time on the phone in the mornings, then I would do my work as fast as I could so that I could "play" some more. I never saw the value of my job, nor had the gift of enjoying it, until I began to sit at the feet of Jesus. Now I cannot get over the fact that I get to do this job, and how much I love it!

Presently, the LORD is helping me my afternoons. Just as I have seen His incredible strength in my mornings, I am now beginning to see His incredible strength in my afternoons. For it is at this time that I usually write to you all. A little each day. It is amazing to me that I am now able to encourage other women with the encouragement He has given to me. It brings me such joy! I cannot believe that I used to use this time to sit in front of soap operas and then talk shows. God can do above all that we ask or think if we will give up the "chaff" and dive into the "wheat." Discipline. Blessed Discipline.

"Because the good hand of His God was upon Him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel." Ezra 7:9b-10

"For what it really is, the Word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe." 1 Thessalonians 2:13b

I believe! I believe! And I have seen His Word perform its work in me. God be praised! Now when my husband comes home, I am not filled with guilt at how I wasted another day. I do not sit anymore and complain about everything that went wrong in my day. I have dinner cooking, rather than a wonder as to "what I will ever put on the table tonight.?" I don't spend time at the stores or mall anymore. I don't spend time in fictional romances now, rather I read books that will help me acquire needed skills in my home. I have seen my new practices helping my children to be stronger, our finances to be in better shape, and far more "quality control" going on in my home than ever before. Why? Because I have trained myself to sit at His Feet these past seven years. His Word means more to me than my daily food.

"But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." Hebrews 5:14

Solid Food. The more you delve into the Word of God, the more rich it becomes. And God helps you to do the impossible. Which is to practice it. That is why we need to pray. How we need to pray and practice His Word! As we practice His Word, we "see" what is good and what is valuable. Especially with the twenty-four hours in a day that each of us have been given. For without God, this is not possible:

"Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." Proverbs 24:3-4

Discipline. Blessed discipline. So they wonder why I don't run with them anymore to the mall to spend money we don't have, or sit and yak over the phone talking about things we ought not, or hang out at their house for the day, with a soap opera or talk show thrown in, while we try to think what we should have for dinner. They wonder. This is why:

"Blessed is the 'woman' who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but 'her' delight is in the Law of the LORD, and in His Law 'she' meditates day and night." Psalm 1:1

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8

Yes, changing our lives and our practices takes discipline. Yes, we will fall and make mistakes. But our Father is our Father, and He will pick us up and brush us off to keep going. And discipline is just what He uses in our lives to move us to what is Truth and what is Treasure. Everything that He purges from our lives, we never needed in the first place. And what He will replace with it, oh, our hearts will never be more amazed.

We're still working on my afternoons, and there's still the night to come! There's so much more to learn and to practice. But I know He is teaching me and training me. I look forward to what He will do. Discipline. Blessed discipline. Oh, it is not pleasant at the moment, but the fruit it brings is indescribable!

Love,
Laine

Elizabeth's Elliot's thoughts on the Priorities of Motherhood

"I am sadly concerned that thousands of mothers are so over-burdened that the actual demands of life from day to day consume all their time and strength. But of two evils, choose the lesser: which would you call the lesser--an unpolished stove or an untaught boy? Dirty windows, or a child whose confidence you have failed to gain? Cobwebs in the corner, or a son over whose soul a crust has formed, so strong that you despair of melting it with your hot tears and fervent prayers?

I have seen a woman who was absolutely ignorant of her children's habits of thought, who never felt that she could spare a half-hour to read or talk with them--I have seen this woman spend ten minutes in ironing a sheet, or forty minutes icing a cake for tea, because company was expected.

When the mother, a good orthodox Christian, shall appear before the Great White Throne to be judged for the "deeds done in the body," and to give her report of the master's treasures placed in her care, there will be questions and answers like these:

"Where are the boys and girls I gave thee?"

"Lord, I was busy keeping my house clean and in order, and my children wandered away."

"Where wert thou while thy sons and thy daughters were learning lessons of dishonesty, malice and impurity?"

"Lord, I was polishing furniture and making beautiful rugs."

"What hast thou to show for thy life's work?"

"The tidiest house, Lord, and the best starching and ironing in all our neighborhood!"

Oh these children, these children! The restless eager boys and girls whom we love more than our lives! Shall we devote our time and strength to that which perishes while the rich garden of our child's soul lies neglected, with foul weeds choking out all worthy and beautiful growths? Fleeting indeed, O mother, are the days of childhood, and speckless windows, snowy linen, the consciousness that everything about the house is faultlessly bright and clean will be poor comfort in that day wherein we shall discover that our poor boy's feet have chosen the path that shall take him out of the way to all eternity."

--Author Unknown

(Elisabeth Elliot shared the following essay written many years ago by an unknown mother in one of her newsletters. http://www.elisabethelliot.org.)

"An unholy church!

It is useless to the world, and of no esteem among men.

It is an abomination, hell’s laughter, heaven’s abhorrence.

The worst evils which have ever come upon the world

have been brought upon her by an unholy church."

~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Another Great Quote - C T Studd - Spiritual Champagne

The Lord is so good and always gives me a large dose of Spiritual Champagne every morning which braces one up for the day and night. Of late I have had such glorious times. I generally wake about 3.30 a. m. and feel quite wide awake, so have a good read, etc., and then have an hour’s sleep or so before finally getting up. I find what I read then is stamped indelibly on my mind all through the day: and it is the very quietest of times, not a foot astir, nor a sound to be heard, saving that of God.
“If I miss this time I feel like Samson shorn of his hair and so of all his strength. I see more and more how much I have to learn of the Lord. I want to be a workman approved, not just with a ‘pass’ degree, as it were. Oh! how I wish I had devoted my early life, my whole life to God and His Word. How much have I lost by those years of self pleasing and running after this world’s honours and pleasures.”
- C.T. Studd, February 7, 1886

And Miles to Go Before I Sleep

Everyday I make grandiose plans for the things I want to accomplish.  I don't finish nearly all the things I'd like because it's hard to plan for boo-boos, unexpected company, behavior adjustment implementations (:D), or just getting off track to see the newly blooming flowers, a butterfly, or to count airplanes with the toddler.  However, I find a deep sense of satisfaction if when my graying head hits the pillow, our home is at peace, the kitchen is clean, the house picked up, and laundry mountain only remains a small hill.  If we were able to laugh together while we worked together and we accomplished the majority of school without threats or tears, it's been a great day.   There was a time I would have felt defeated by not doing much more in a day but I've learned to find joy in just doing the best we could and pressing on to another day.  It makes for a less stressful day for not only myself but my family.  May our homes be filled with the peace and fragrance of our Lord Jesus and we will be satisfied with all that we set our hands to do.

My Sweet Little Christopher

He's a sweet little fella
that just turned two
who looks for interesting things
to explore and get into.

Like the 13 eggs he & his nephew Jackson
plopped on the floor.
The first must have made such a cool noise
because they decided to do a dozen more.
There's the nearly new conditioner
that I left by the sink.
He must have decided the floor
needed major detangling.

Don't you love that b.b.s
make such a neat sound
when you dump out a thousand
all over the ground.

When you are two
you must also decide when you want to eat
you climb on the counters
because all the muffins are your treat.

And when your 6 year old sister's
birthday cake is cooling
go ahead and eat it
no point in just drooling.

No longer will I get too excited

when I find out he didn't poo in his diapers.
He may have decided to be like his pup
and poo in the back yard for the neighbors.

To be continued
but not too quickly, I must speak!
because all this happened
in the space of a week!!

Love is in the Air

Happy Valentine's Day!  It's a beautiful, spring-like day in GA.  It's also my youngest girls 6th birthday.  So we began the day with yummy pancakes and maple syrup.  Instead of buttermilk, I used our homemade yogurt with a bit of milk.  We then made and decorated cookies.  Baking her strawberry heart cake with purple frosting was next on the agenda.  As the cake cooled, we began the heart shaped pizzas for lunch.  But alas, we turned around to check the cooling cake and the baby had discovered that it was quite yummy even without the frosting. 

So after a bit of tears from the birthday girl, we are now remaking a cake.  God is good like that with us all the time.  He is the God of another chance and another chance and another chance.  We just need to repent and He welcomes us back with open arms.  Of course, that doesn't mean there aren't consequences.  For Emily, it's not the strawberry cake she first wanted; therefore, we are making a vanilla "festive with sprinkles" cake in it's place.   She suffered a bit of consequences for Christopher's actions.  Not too unlike what happens when we blow it.  Many a times not only do we suffer but those around us.  Thankfully, in this instance, it's just a cake.  We still went to the park for an hour and played.  The breadsticks to go with tonight's dinner are rising now.  We are having an "Olive Garden" copy cat recipe night with spaghetti and meatballs, salad, and bread sticks.  The wee ones are putting on their special Aunt Fran made aprons and serving us.  We are so blessed.  Thank you Lord for another wonderful day.  When you are thinking on this day, remember the verses below.

I Corinthians 13:4-13

Love is patient and kind; 

 love does not envy or boast; 

it is not arrogant or rude.

It does not insist on its own way; 

it is not irritable or resentful; 

it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, 

but rejoices with the truth.  

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 Love never ends. 

As for prophecies, they will pass away; 

as for tongues, they will cease; 

as for knowledge, it will pass away. 

For we know in part and we prophesy in part,  

 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.  

 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. 

When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. 

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully,  

even as I have been fully known.

 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; 

but the greatest of these is love.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 

For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. 

But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 

Again, if two lie together, they keep warm,

but how can one keep warm alone?  

  And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, 

two will withstand him—

a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

I John 4:8

  Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Song of Solomon 8:6-7

Set me as a seal upon your heart,
   as a seal upon your arm,
for love is strong as death,
   jealousy is fierce as the grave. 

Its flashes are flashes of fire,
   the very flame of the LORD.

Many waters cannot quench love,
   neither can floods drown it.
If a man offered for love
   all the wealth of his house,
   he would be utterly despised.

I John 4:7

Beloved, let us love one another, 

for love is from God, 

and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

 

 

Contest at Urban Homemaker for Junior Nutrimill

Check it out at:  http://www.marilynmoll.com/2011/02/introducing-the-wondermill-junior-contest/

Birthdays are in the Air

February is birthday month at our home.  This year is especially a big month.  2 boys turning 16 and 18!!  Our baby turns 2 and our smallest princess turns 6.  I am truly getting old because I keep saying, "Where does the time go?".    Seems like just yesterday I had 3 children 4 and under, then soon after 4 children 6 and under.  Now all but two are in double digits.  Everybody gets to be queen or king for the day, and do absolutely no chores or school, and they pick their meals and their cake for their day.  Our two year old, obviously, was very easy this year because he was just happy to have cake.  Today is our 16 year old's birthday and he wanted hot dogs and eggs for breakfast.  Yep, we never had that before but he enjoys it as his friend's family's house when he visits so we tried it for him.  It won't be on our menu again probably but the kiddos liked it for his special occasion.  Then for lunch he wanted homemade burgers with the works.  They were scrumptious.  He chose a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting for his cake.  Dinner he wants homemade Salisbury steak with macaroni and cheese and we'll have salad.  Lots more meat than we usually have in a day but it's his day. 

Had lots of "help" with the cake so you won't appreciate the creativity in using 16 candles + 1 to grow on if you just saw the cake without a little "disclaimer", lol.  Happy Birthday Nicholas!!

Take the Pill

My adult daughter Sally is extremely bright and full of life, but she is dying.  She received a bad report in the mail that the doctor found something wrong in her last routine visit and wishes to see her right away.  Nervously, we go to the our family's physician, the same who has seen her since birth,  who prescribes a drug that will fully cure her.  He is so concerned that he immediately phones in the prescription to the pharmacy and even offers to pay it for her because it's extremely expensive and honestly, there is no way either of us could afford it.  Returning from the pharmacy for her, I rush into her home and give her the prescription.  She informs me that she isn't interested in taking it right now.  She states that for one she feels great, and secondly she read online that she can just take another pill that is cheaper and just as effective.  Heartbroken, I try my best to persuade her that this is only way she will live.  She refuses.  I call the physician and I ask him is there any legal way that I can make her take this prescription since we know this is the only way she will live.  He informs me that legally you can never make a patient take medicine.  They must choose to receive it on their own.  Over time, I watch Sally's life deteriorate.  She keep's turning to cheap alternatives to the one drug that would save her because she believes they are cheaper, more natural, and definitely a more hip alternative.  As heartbroken as I am as her mother, I'm surprised how hard her physician takes the news.

In reality, we are all dying.  Our bad report that is sent to us is that we are great sinners and all sinners, great and small, deserve death and hell.  The good news for us is the Great Physician has paid for our prescription in the form of His Son Jesus who became the perfect sacrifice for our sins.  Any alternative to Jesus is a cheapened alternative that will lead you to death and destruction even if only in the end.  Like the doctor in the story, God will never force you to accept Him.  You must come to Him by your own choice when He calls.  If God is calling you to offer you eternal life, won't you take that call and receive the prescription found in Jesus which is more than a ticket to heaven when you die but an opportunity to live a fulfilled life with Him now?

{Small disclaimer:  Since I'm already getting e-mails thinking this is really one of my children, it's not.  Just a story I woke up to this morning and decided to write.  It's an analogy of the true Gospel of God's overwhelming, redeeming love!!}

Curriculum Choices

I began homeschooling 20+ years ago with 100 Easy Lessons and Learning at Home by Ann Ward.  I did that for two years.  I loved it.  At a seminar I was introduced to KONOS and had a great couple of years with friends using KONOS.  Since then, it seems I have tried or checked out just about everything!  The only thing that didn't work for me is a "packaged curriculum".  I always liked the classical approach to homeschooling the best.  Using lots of real books and life to learn from.  My goal with my kiddos in homeschooling is to raise them to love Jesus foremost and to have a love of learning.  If you love to learn and have the "tools" to know how, you are prepared for whatever life may through your way.  Honestly, I still try to do too much wanting to cover everything before they leave home and have to stand back sometimes to regroup.   If I'm not careful, we're schooling from sun up to sun down.  Of course, that includes throwing in a few chores, cooking with me, etc. but still it's easy for me to get into the "I've got to cover everything" rut and forget that I'm training them to learn.  They will have the tools to learn whatever I or they miss.  Phew, that's a load off of my mind.  Most of our home school years has been with Ambleside Online, Apologia Science and Saxon Math.  However, I discovered Classical Conversations a few years ago and have loved it.  Saxon Math and Apologia are still a part of our school.  We also read a lot of books.  I have an adult daughter in college going into nursing.  My second child graduates this year and plans to begin college in the fall.  It goes way too fast.  Young mama, I know you hear that all the time, but let me tell you it's so true.  They grow up way too fast.  Even through the hard days of trying to home school while hugging a potty (pregnant), changing 100 diapers when soo many were little at once, catching up on laundry mountain and so many other chores, trying to survive on one full-time income, I thank the Lord so much that He led me to be with my precious children.   Because for all those hard days, there were so many more good days filled with laughter, singing, games, and togetherness.  Most importantly, it's worth it all if the Lord would find it to His great pleasure to use my small efforts to call my children, that He so graciously blessed us with, to Himself.    To Him be all the honor and glory forever!! 

20 Years of Homeschooling!

Wow!  When I filled out paperwork to be a director in Classical Conversations I realized I've been homeschooling for over 20 years!  My eldest daughter is going to be 25 and she began reading at age 4.  She was and is still an avid learner.  I decided my next few posts should be on some things I have learned as a mom while homeschooling. I'll put some of our favorite books, our adventures in schooling, and how I still do it after so long and enjoy it. 

Why I love to home educate my children?  First and foremost, I really love being with my children.  My eldest had to be in daycare off and on during her first 5 years of life and I hated it.  Don't get me wrong, I loved work.  I loved my job (Science Applications International Corporation) and I loved the people I worked with but I really missed being at home with my daughter and being a full-time mom.   If there is a calling for motherhood and homeschooling that makes you miserable doing anything else, I had it.   And I was surprised.   I had plans of a big career until I held that precious cargo.  All those future goals went by the wayside and my thoughts began drifting towards home.

I also was intrigued with the idea of homeschooling.   There was so little on the subject at the time therefore I joined a local home school co-op when my daughter was only two so I could do my homework.   Meanwhile, my husband began a partnership in a plumbing business that was doing well.  We decided to take the plunge and give up my benefits and pay to come home right before her kindergarten year. 

Our families thought we were nuts and had probably joined a cult.  It didn't help that I did begin getting very involved in a Spirit-filled church when she was 2.  Being so hungry for Truth and especially spiritual truth, I devoured the Word.  I was involved in Bible Studies and in learning how to be a good mom, wife, and future home school mom.  It pretty much consumed those first years of her life.  Compared to the old me, I am absolutely sure it did appear that I had to have joined a cult to have changed so drastically.  I know when they found out I wanted more than two children it made no sense at all to them. When I breastfed, my feminist mentors in life where appalled (especially when I did it for two years).  When I wanted natural child birth, cloth diapers to save money, dress simply, give up career ambitions and more, they pretty much just shook their heads.  But after 6 children they gave up on me and now are some of my biggest cheerleaders in life. Maybe by the time I had #8 they were just numb :D. 

Before we were married, we had "the plan".  We will have 3 children 3 years apart.  I will finish my college education and we will move by a beach and we will live happily ever after.  Well, God had other plans.  We definitely didn't plan on homeschooling.  We didn't have to throw away our dreams to follow God's plan for us but He has definitely changed our dreams.  It has been a great adventure and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  My next post will discuss what curriculum we began with and how we got where we are now. 

Nerf Guns Everywhere and New Year's Resolutions

I'm writing this amidst rapid Nerf gun fire, and believe it or not, it's so normal my thoughts aren't even scattered!   I didn't make my normal goals this year.  I try to begin a lot of great things at once and do well for a while and then one week of sick kiddos and it's all over.  This year I'm making one health/physical, one spiritual, one mental and one family goal before I do anything else.  My first health/physical goal was to give up diet cokes!  It is my one true vice.  There weren't even withdrawals or headaches when I quit this year because I already quit buying them at home a long time ago.  I saved them for when I was out during happy hour at Sonic.  A tall, bubbly, itty bitty ice of carbonation for a BUCK!!!   YESSSS, it was good while it lasted.  Next week will be about 2 weeks so I'll start my new health/physical goal then...at least 30 minutes of purposeful exercise a day.  Don't get me wrong.  A household this big, I never quit moving. But, I need to get more disciplined in this area again so that's next.

My first spiritual goal is to daily read the Word alone and with the family.  I've done at least one or the other since the first but not consistent with both yet.  Once, I conquer that one I actually do have a yearly plan of studies this year.

My first mental goal is to learn more Latin before I need to teach it in Challenge next year.   Therefore, I'm beginning to do the books with the children that they are doing and then I will begin Rosetta Stone.  I usually just follow along with the teacher book and don't make myself think things as through as I need to do. 

Lastly, my family goal is to get out of holiday - run- run - rush -rush mode and back into settled life.  Meals back at the table together.  Prayers more consistent.  Bedtimes back on track.  Limited television, video games, etc. during the week so we can focus more on school and home life.

Well, time to get the "shooters" to put their weapons away for the night.  It's "jammy" time.  Half of them are already behind on that bedtime deal :D.  Good night blogging world.

Rosetta Stone Give Away

Now is the perfect time to give your child the gift of possibilities for the holidays with Rosetta Stone Homeschool — and you can WIN a Level 1 Homeschool program, language of your choice (valued at $249)!
Right now Rosetta Stone is having a special Holiday promotion on our Homeschool Edition program and we’d like you to help spread the word! Everyone can save up to $150 on Rosetta Stone Homeschool by visiting our website at http://www.RosettaStone.com/hsw1110.
By helping us spread the word you can win a Rosetta Stone Homeschool Edition Level 1 program, language of your choice, valued at $249.
This is a computer based curriculum and Rosetta Stone will also include a headset with microphone, and a supplementary “Audio Companion” CD so you can practice lessons in the car, on the go, or where-ever!
Students participate in life-like conversations and actually produce language to advance through the program. Rosetta Stone incorporates listening, reading, grammar, vocabulary and writing along with speaking and pronunciation lessons. For parents, the new Parent Administrative Tools are integrated into the program to allow parents to easily enroll up to ten students in any of 12 predetermined lesson plans, monitor student progress, grade completed work (the program grades the work automatically as the students progress), and you can view and print reports for transcripts. Homeschooling a lot of kids at your house? This program is designed to enroll and track up to ten students (five users on two computers) and will work for nearly all ages — from beginning readers up to college students.
To win this program, copy these paragraphs and post them in (or as) your next blog post, and/OR post about this contest on your facebook page. Then go to the original page at http://www.triviumpursuit.com/blog/2010/12/28/rosetta-stone-giveaway/
and leave a comment saying that you’ve posted about, or have linked to, the contest. Please make sure the link works to get back to the original contest page when you post, and good luck!
***

Wherever You Are, Be All There. ~Jim Elliot

I saw this quote today and it really spoke to my heart.  Again, it reminded me I should have named this blog "Attempting to Live a Life of No Regrets."  Although, it's still my lofty goal, it's definitely only attainable to attempt it.  This quote spoke to me because I desire to make a difference for the Lord in the lives that He puts into mine.  I cannot make a difference in the lives of even my own family if my mind is consistently elsewhere.  We need to stay focused on the family the Lord blessed us with and the guests the Lord may bring to our door.  He may even have opportunities for us at the grocery store, the gas station, the drive thru window, where ever we may be IF we are available to Him to "be all there, wherever we are". 

We've all done it.  Whether it's a conversation with a child, on the phone, or whomever when you have to ask the other person to repeat what they are trying to tell you because your mind is totally preoccupied with other matters.  Don't get me wrong; there is a time to take care of matters uninterrupted but other times we need to give attention to those around us. I'm so thankful we serve a God who is always there for us.  May we strive to be there for those He places in our lives and most importantly when we are spending time with Him.  May we be purposeful to focus on Him when we read His word.  May we focus our attention to Him when we pray (and not what is next on the to do list),  Lord help us to be all there, wherever we are! 

Lots of New Stuff

If I wrote each day as much as I'd like, my family would never eat!!  This is a quick update because I have to go throw dinner in the crock pot.  However, I started a new blog on my recipes because folks ask for them quite a bit.  Just go to Now Michelle's Cooking on my links and voila, you are there.  I'll add recipes as often as I can.  I have a few friends who have asked me to post what I cook every day so this is a way I can post it without driving my other facebook friends crazy :).

Also, if you don't mind and are going to order a book from Amazon anyway, please order through my blog site and it will earn me some school money for the kiddos.  Thanks so much!  Lastly, I'll be adding another blog hopefully titled Now Michelle's Saving Money.  I have a  lot of folks wonder how a family of 9 (my oldest is married so only 7 are at  home) that also watches 2 grandchildren during the week can eat on $600-$1000 a month (which includes toiletries, etc.) so I'll tell you the things I've learned on this great big family adventure.  The higher months are when I'm restocking my bulk supplies :). 

P.S.  The picture above is what my butter pecan cake ended up looking like.  My littlest fella got into the frosting while I let the cake cool.  He had a great time and I had little frosting left.  We improvised with leftover chocolate frosting from my children's cupcakes for Christmas and went light on the edges.  This little fella just makes me laugh which is much better than pulling my hair out.

Merry Christmas!!

2010 Tordoff Holiday Letter

Greetings to all in the strong and mighty name of Jesus Christ. I pray His perfect peace will surround you this hectic season. As I get older, it seems like these letters get written closer and closer together because time just seems to fly.

What a wonderful year this has been. We have been blessed with great health, a peaceful home and an abundance of joy in Christ.

John Russell, 17, is completing his senior year of home school requirements. He wants to take personal training & nutrition courses soon before he embarks into college life next fall. He enjoys getting together with friends, the PS3, and working out. We are proud of him and cannot wait to see what the Lord has for him in the coming year.

Nicholas, a sophomore, has grown a mile this year. He has also grown in the Lord. He's our quiet fella with a big heart to serve. He also enjoys the ps3, reading Tolkien, hanging out with his buddies, and running Abbie (our Siberian Husky). He is leaning towards the medical field when he finishes high school.

Timothy, 13, has had the most drama this year. He broke his arm skim boarding on our beach trip. He had his arms “set” in N.C. but it didn't set well so he became our “titanium man” after a plate and screws were inserted into his bones. He now enjoys tennis again and has a great sense of humor. He is just enjoying being a boy and hanging out with friends and family.

Praise, 11, is becoming quite a young woman. She loves to cook and be crafty. She has become such a social butterfly attending many girly events from church and landing a part in the Christmas play. She has made many new friends this year and loves tea parties.

Michael, 9, loves to ride his bike, swim, play Wii and eat. I've never seen a boy who loves food as much as this guy. Honestly, he's been like that since birth. Fortunately, he doesn't mind helping prepare food. He also takes tennis lessons with Timothy. We love his quirky sense of humor.

Emily, 5, is still our drama queen. However, she has definitely mellowed out this year. No longer does she tell complete strangers her opinion of their hair, piercings, or tattoos in disgusted tones. She seems to bring sunshine into every room with her. She is full of joy.

Christopher, 22 months, is no longer our wee butterball. He has run and climbed and played off most of his chubbiness. The children are still smitten with him and all his antics. He's quite a little actor and keeps us laughing. He loves food like Michael does and is always wanting “eat and juice”!

Brandon, Cindy, Rylie and Jackson are all doing well. Brandon, a great husband and daddy, traded counties in his job as a police officer this year. Cindy is a great wife and mom in college and working. They don't get bored often :).

The best gift the Lord has given my family, by far, is the gift of laughter. Chores may back up, illness enters the home, bills (need I say more), and any other stress may be thrown our way but it all becomes bearable and life is enjoyable with the laughter we share each day.

My hope for you all in this coming year is that you will be overwhelmed with the glory and awesomeness of Christ. If you don't know Him, I pray you will find Hm and become His child. If you do know Jesus, I pray you will live like a son/daughter of the great and glorious King. I pray you find peace, love and joy in Christ. Acts 16:24b says to ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Merry Christmas to All

from the Tordoff Troop and

Blessings for a Wonderful New Year

Thanksgiving Part 2

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  We had a lot of family come together in Thomson, GA (my mom's home) for a great celebration of the Lord's goodness to us.    There were 28 of us in all!  That doesn't include all the dogs that came.  We left Friday morning to spend the rest of our holiday with family in NC and we had a blast.  I'm now officially good with hearing holiday music, watching Christmas movies and even learning Christmas carols for our hymn study in school.  I'll probably "holiday" my blog when I finish updating this post.  

I began a Bible study through my Counting It All Joy yahoo group today using Peter Lord's "Getting to Know God the Son Jesus Christ".  I'm looking forward to working through this study during the month of December and really focusing myself and my family on Jesus.    I spent November trying to thank the Lord for things each day.  I'm purposing to spend December focusing on Jesus, the Son of God.  I want to spend it rejoicing in Him not focused only on Him as a baby in a manger but as the Lord of All who rules and reigns now.


Ephesians 1:3-14:  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.  In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.  In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving

This month I have purposed to find things to be thankful about each day.  I've tried to post these ponderings on my facebook page.  Because I love to write, I often think of a ton of things each day I'd like to put into words that I never quite get around to.  As I sat down tonight to purposely throw out some thoughts on the page, so to speak, I must admit I've decided to visit an old memory.

Thankfulness is not a thing I struggle with because I truly am overwhelmed with the blessings God has given me in this life and know how unworthy I am of it all.   Not that I don't have to purpose to choose to be thankful at times that are difficult or purposely make choices to rejoice when my flesh would like to choose differently.  I truly am still a work in progress.  (Thank you Lord; You haven't quit on me!!)  One of my favorite times that God taught me thankfulness was during a Bible Conference at Grace Fellowship.  I was soo sick, again.  Yep, pregnant and nauseous was I.  My pregnancies didn't consist of morning sickness.  They were all day and sometimes all night sickness.  The illness  lasted from 16 to 40 weeks.  Jack Taylor was teaching on being thankful even for the difficult things that come our way in life.  Well, as he was preaching, my body was telling my mind to run or be very embarrassed.  I ran out the door to the bathroom and was relieved to have listened and made it in time.    As I was hugging the toilet, I decided even in this I need to choose to be thankful.  So during and after what felt like the worst case of food poisoning you could imagine, I began praying and thanking Him.  I ended with "Thank you Lord that every pregnancy that I have been ill has resulted in a healthy pregnancy."    Would you believe, I was never sick again that entire pregnancy!!  It was a miracle.  (Of course, I tried that in following pregnancies and He didn't bless me in the same way but He still fixed me and my heart.)  I could truly thank Him during those sick times despite everything else in life that was getting so far behind due to the sickness.  I'll never forget that miracle He did for me that Bible conference.  He healed my body, encouraged my spirit and fixed my heart to choose thankfulness in all things.  Thank you Lord.

No Mom, I Don't See Buzzards!

I was pondering my crazy weekend and had to laugh to myself thinking I know what Mom will say when she hears about it.  We woke up early Sunday morning, fed everybody (which is a feat itself on Sunday mornings) and was heading out a bit early because we knew we needed to get gas in my son's car.  Well, we load up in 2 vehicles and my car doesn't start.  Battery dead!  ARGHHHH.  No biggie, I'll get out the jumper cables.  3 vehicles parked in my driveway, yet not a jumper cable to be found.  Nary a neighbor out this early in the morning either.  Okay, we still have time....I'll take hubby's car.  We move 1 car seat, 7 children, 5 Bibles, 3 purses and hit the highway.  We will now just be "on time.".  We can handle that because it still beats being late.  We unload at church and my eldest son, bless his heart, isn't used to being the driver and getting out a baby.  Being the great helper he is, he gets the baby out but forgets he left his keys inside the car when he removed the little fella.  He then proceeds to shut the door and, of course, it's locked.  No problem the spare is in the glove box.  My husband works nights and obviously cannot save us because the car I left at home won't start either (remember?).  BTW, did I mention I'm bringing home my niece this day so that my sister's family can go see the Braves game after church? 

We went on to Sunday School classes.  Did I mention I showed up to my class 10-15 minutes late?!  After church, a very patient family spent 30 minutes helping us break into my son's car.  My sister's family went on their way and we had a great afternoon despite the cRaZy start.  The best part is that we could all laugh about it and not let it ruin our entire day.  My truck ended up with larger problems than the battery and it will get fixed later this week.

When my mother lived in Atlanta, I would call and tell her the latest Tordoff news.  She would  laugh at the children's antics.  But invariably when things seemed to go wrong, another appliance broke, another vehicle to replace, she'd say "Michelle, my goodness, do you look out your windows sometimes and see buzzards flying around?".  She was implying I had buzzard luck.  Well, I could only laugh because the Lord always sees us through the craziness of this life... the broken appliances, broken bones and broken hearts, the financially lean times, the one-more-thing goes wrong kinds of days.  He has just always been faithful.  I knew when I called her that afternoon and told her the latest she would shake her head and would ask me again about the buzzards.  So I laughed as I told her the story in person Monday.  (She now she lives closer.)   I was then able to tell her "Don't worry, I don't see buzzards Mom."